Synthesis of hydrochar from jackfruit

Abstract

A method of producing hydrochar from jackfruit peel biomass includes hydrothermal carbonization of jackfruit peel biomass by autoclaving at 150° C.-250° C. for about 3 hours to produce a hydrochar. The hydrochar can be activated by treatment with phosphoric acid (H3PO4), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), or a combination thereof. The hydrochar produced according to the method is particularly effective at removing azo-dyes, and specifically methylene blue, from aqueous solutions such as industrial waste water.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of synthesizing hydrochar from jackfruit, comprising the steps of:
 adding a jackfruit peel biomass to a liquid carrier; 
 subjecting the jackfruit peel biomass in the liquid carrier to hydrothermal carbonization to provide a hydrochar, the hydrothermal carbonization comprising heating the jackfruit peel biomass in the liquid carrier to a temperature ranging from 150° C. to 250° C. for 3 hours; and 
 separating the hydrochar from the liquid carrier. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of chemically activating the hydrochar. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of chemically activating the hydrochar comprises providing the hydrochar in a solution comprising at least one of phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the jackfruit peel biomass is prepared by
 drying jackfruit peel to provide a dried jackfruit peel; and 
 pulverizing the dried jackfruit peel to substantially uniform consistency. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein liquid carrier is water. 
     
     
       6. A method of synthesizing activated hydrochar from jackfruit, comprising the steps of:
 drying jackfruit peel and pulverizing the dried jackfruit peel to provide a jackfruit peel biomass; 
 adding the jackfruit peel biomass to water to form a slurry; 
 heating the slurry to a temperature ranging from about 150° C.−250° C. for about 3 hours in an autoclave to provide a hydrochar; 
 separating an initial hydrochar from the liquid carrier; 
 drying the initial hydrochar; and 
 adding the dried hydrochar to a solution comprising at least one of phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) to form an activated hydrochar.